"For many years, chiropractors have observed in their own practices that their patients sometimes demonstrate improvements of complaints related to immune problems: the disappearance or lessening of allergy symptoms, quicker recovery from or less frequent and severe colds and other respiratory infections, and so on."

"....a series of recent studies from several international research groups is systematically building the case that spinal manipulation appears to reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and increase the blood levels of immunoregulatory cytokines."

"Another related avenue of research on neural immunoregulation evaluates the effects of spinal manipulation on the production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) - an immunoregulatory (not pro-inflammatory) cytokine and signaling molecule, instrumental in the body's response to microbial infection and for the body's ability to discriminate between foreign (non-self) and self. IL-2 is a pivotal cytokine in T-cell-dependent immune responses and plays a major role in the development, maintenance and survival of regulatory T cells. Thus, it is of critical importance in induction and sustenance of immune tolerance"

"Interleukin-2 is a type of protein called a cytokine that works to increase the production and function of various components of the body's immune system."

Interleukin-2

"This protein is normally produced in the body, but in small amounts. By increasing levels of IL-2, the increase in immune system components (specifically T cells and natural killer cells) will mount an attack against any cancer cells."

"In 2010, Teodorczyk-Injeyan, et al., continued with this research on induction and regulation of immune responses related to interactions between the immune and nervous systems mediated by actions of neurotransmitters and immunoregulatory cytokines. To this end, the researchers followed the subjects from the previous study to determine if the increased production of interleukin-2 as a result of a single thoracic manipulation is associated with increased antibody synthesis from monocytes."

"The paper reports that there were indeed significantly increased synthesis of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies induced in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in subjects who received thoracic manipulation..."

The Take-Home Message

"The studies described above demonstrate an accumulation of evidence that indicates spinal manipulation may influence the immune system's response to various stimuli. Three of the studies suggest that manipulation consistently reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with tissue damage and pain from articular structures. Two studies provide evidence that manipulation consistently reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with tissue damage and pain from articular structures. Two studies provide evidence that manipulation may induce and enhance production of the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-2 and the production of immunoglobulins as well."

If you are interested in learning more about natural ways to boost your or your children's immune system response, contact the Chiropractic Physician in Bozeman and Belgrade, MT who is on the leading edge of technological advances and bringing you the latest Chiropractic research.